NAVRATRI CHEER Bodhi Tree INTRODUCTION

Durga means “She who is difficult to reach.”

Devi is a form of . She is also called by various other names like , , Santoshi Mata etc.

Destroyer of the demons, she is worshiped during an annual festival called Durga especially popular among Bengalis.

Durga is one of the most popular goddesses among the .

Devi represents strength, morality, power and protection.

Goddess Durga is the divine mother, who protects people from evil forces of selfishness, jealousy, hatred, anger and ego. ORIGIN OF MAA DURGA

In , Durga is the fierce form of Devi, the Mother Goddess, the powerful almighty goddess.

According to a legend the gods could not defeat the buffalo demon Mahish, who was threatening the existence of the universe. They begged for his assistance and Shiva advised all the gods to release their .

The shaktis of the gods emerged in female form. These goddesses fused together in blinding light from which rose a magnificent goddess with many arms. She was as beautiful as she was deadly. Durga was born fully grown and is depicted as extremely beautiful and full of rage.

The gods called this goddess Durga, the invincible one, and they armed her with all their weapons. Thus armed, Durga rode to the top of a mountain on a lion.

In a bloody battle, she defeated Mahish and his army of demons and thus saved the Universe from this demon’s menace. LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM GODDESS DURGA

Multi-Tasking Vision and Equanimity Durga Maa with her eight hands The most prominent feature that arrests epitomizes the word 'multi-tasking.' our attention is her beautiful, calm and Multi-tasking not only saves time, but serene visage which sports big yet it also keeps us mentally active and watchful eyes. Big eyes are a symbol of agile plus it makes us independent of having a 360 degree vision so as to the vagaries of time and resources. know where one needs to reach.The watchfulness symbolizes a constant eye on your journey to your goal. While watchfulness is desirable, the goddess' Fearlessness and Inner Strength serene visage also cautions to bear The word Durga, from the root word equanimity within us. A composed 'durgam' itself, embodies fearlessness. leader-manager can accomplish much Goddess Durga rides a tiger - it's a more than an agitated one. metaphor showing - a fearless being can go on to tame problems and Adaptability situations even as fierce as a tiger and Goddess Durga comes to us in 9 come out as the winner.Remaining different (forms) on the 9 days true to our convictions in the face of of Navratri. There is a very simple each adversity, however, big or small it management lesson hidden here. may be, gives us an unshakeable inner Leader managers should be strength. The stronger we are from themselves but adapt their style, tone, stance, manner and involvement as inside, the more fearless we are per the situation on hand. perceived on the outside. NINE FORMS OF MAA DURGA Goddess is a fierce 10-armed Goddess Shailputri is the first manifestation of Goddess Brahmacharini walks bare feet goddess with a crescent moon on her Goddess Durga. She holds a Trishul in one with a rudraksh mala in one hand. What to forehead, which gives her the name hand and a lotus in the other and rides a bull offer: Goddess Brahmacharini is offered Chandraghanta. She rides on a tiger to destroy called Nandi. What to offer: Devotees offer sugar for the longevity of the family all evil and wicked. What to offer: The pure ghee on the foot of Goddess Shailputri. members. ferocious goddess is pleased with Kheer. She is known to drive away all pains.

Goddess Skandamata who is worshipped on Devi Kushmanda is the creator of the Goddess Katyayani is a form of Shakti. Also the fifth day is also known as Panchami. universe.What to offer: Devotees offer known as the warrior goddess, Katyayani is Skandmata is a four-armed deity, who carries a Malpua to Maa Kushmanda to improve their considered as one of the most violent forms lotus in two of her arms and is seated on it as intellect and decision-making ability. of Goddess Parvati. She has four arms and well .What to offer: Bananas is the favourite carrying a sword she rides a lion. fruit of Goddess Skandamata. Goddess Kaalratri sacrificed her skin colour and embraced a dark complexion to kill demons. She is a four-armed deity who Durga Ashtami or the eight-day of Navratri The ninth or the final day of Navratri is of rides a donkey, carries a sword, a , is dedicated to Goddess . She is a Goddess Siddhidatri. She is projected as a and a noose. She has a third eye on her four-armed deity who rides on a bull or a four-armed deity sitting on a lotus, holding a forehead that is believed to contain the white elephant. She carries a Trishul and a mace, discus and a book and lotus in her entire universe.What to offer: Offer damru in her hands.What to offer: Goddess hands. This form of Goddess Durga signifies Jaggery as prasad to Devi Kaalratri for Mahagauri is offered coconut by devotees. perfection.What to offer: Sesame Seeds are relief from pains, obstacles and bring offered to Devi Siddhidatri for safety and happiness. security from unnatural events. IMPORTANCE OF NAVRATRI

Navratri is a festival of the Hindus celebrated with great devotion, love and fervor all over our country.

Navratri specifically means “nine nights” devoted to the goddess Maa Durga.

It is celebrated twice a year, first in the month of March/April and second in the month of September/October.

It is a festival of worship, dance, singing prayers and offering your sincere prayers to the Goddess.

The nine days and nights are totally dedicated to the mother goddess and includes observing a fast to please Maa Durga, chanting of and religious hymns, prayers, reciting the sacred texts in honor of the goddess.

However Maa Durga lays no compulsion for her devotees to observe a fast, they could spend time chanting her name and doing good deeds as well.

The first three days of Navratri are dedicated to Goddess Durga (goddess of power), next three days to Goddess (goddess of wealth and prosperity) and the last three days to Goddess (goddess of knowledge) CELEBRATING NAVRATRI

Garba is a form of The auspicious dance which occasion is originates from characterised by the state of the indigenous Gujarat in India. cuisine especially The name is fashioned for derived from the those who are term fasting on all or Garbha and Deep. some of the nine Many traditional days of the garbas are festival. performed around centrally lit lamp or a picture or statue of the Goddess Shakti. THANK YOU!

JAI MATA DI